Jalan: Mysteries of the Haunted World

The Patron War

Serpents and dragons, two powerful and influential breeds of reptilian monsters, have been rivals and often enemies since before recorded history. This conflict finally came to a head in the Patron War, where both breeds sought out allies in other beings, particularly humans. During this time, the ulari and burunjhu were created as go-betweens, generals, and spies for working with and manipulating humanity, and as assassins and warriors when needed. This time also saw the creation of living weapons and false spirits, and the expansion of the body-modifying art called fleshweaving. While not quite as intelligent or physically powerful as dragons, the serpents’ social inclinations gave them the ability to form larger alliances and inspired greater loyalty and zeal in their servants, and they ultimately drove the dragons nearly to extinction, though not without their own severe losses. With the power of the Patrons depleted, but the question of supremacy decided, most serpents and nearly all of the surviving dragons returned to lives of seclusion and solitude, leaving the world in the hands of their former servants, allies, and pardoned enemies.